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Start by removing any obstacles in the moving path, such as side tables, lamps, or other furniture. If your couch has legs, unscrew them. Measure the couch and the stairway to ensure you have enough room; if it seems unlikely, examine the shape and size of the couch and decide whether it might fit better up the stairway and through doorways on its side, held diagonally, or moved in an upright position.

Consider putting the sofa on a dolly to go up the stairs. It should be able to fit upright on a standard dolly with wheels. You’ll still need to lift the dolly—with the couch on it—up the stairs, but it will reduce the physical strain. The person holding the dolly should pull the couch up, while the helper should be on the other side, keeping the couch secure and steady.

If you don’t have a dolly, the person in front should lift the couch slightly higher than the person in the back to create more stability. The person in the back should also be the stronger mover, as most of the weight will be distributed there.

When moving yourself, you should consider the non-monetary costs, such as time spent and physical and mental stress. If you’re packing and moving every box on your own, or with the help of a few volunteers, you can expect the process to take several days or even weeks. While it’s a less expensive option than hiring full-service movers, keep in mind that the process will be much more difficult.

Planning ahead is essential—this will give you the chance to coordinate your move during weekends or after business hours, and set up essential services in your new office before moving day to minimize downtime. Start by creating a detailed timeline and checklist for every phase of the move, from packing to unpacking. Inform your employees, clients, and vendors about the move well in advance, including any expected disruptions and how you plan to manage them. Delegate responsibilities to ensure all aspects of the move are covered. Lastly, set up the essentials at the new location first to resume operations quickly.

If you’re moving locally, pack up your condiments in a cooler and move them in your car or moving truck so you can put them in the fridge as soon as you arrive at your new place. For long-distance moves, use up or empty out all opened condiments or give them to your neighbors. Pack unopened condiments in a box or give them away if you don’t want to move them.